Wesley So (born October 9, 1993) is a Filipino Grandmaster(GM)-titled chess player. A chess prodigy, he achieved the GM title at the age of 14 years, 1 month and 28 days, making him the 7th youngest person to achieve the Grandmaster title in the history of chess. Before becoming a Grandmaster, So had become the youngest Filipino International Master at the age of 12 years and 10 months.

Early Life

Wesley was aged 6 when his father taught him to play chess and was 9 when he started to compete in junior active chess tournaments where his aggressive and tactical style of play caught the attention of former Philippine chess champion IM Rodolfo Tan Cardoso. Cardoso said, "The young lad... would sacrifice a queen or any other pieces in his arsenal to get a winning attack." Also according to Cardoso, So did not have the full sponsorships enjoyed by the other chess prodigies, saying "He cannot afford decent training given by well known GM-coaches and has to rely on his pure talent, diligence and, of course, the Fritz programs before competing."

Wesley formerly attended the Jesus Good Shepherd School and currently goes to school at St. Francis of Assisi College System in Bacoor, Cavite, a province south of Manila.

Chess Career

In 2006, he became the youngest member of the national men's team to participate at the 37th Chess Olympiad in Turin, Italy at the age of 12. In December of the same year, he also became the youngest National Open Chess Champion. In May 2007, he went on to become the youngest National Junior Open Chess Champion. Wesley won the gold medal on board one at the 2007 World Under 16 Team Championship with a score of 9½/10.

Wesley So achieved his third and final Grandmaster norm on December 8, 2007 at the third Pichay Cup International Open (Manila, Philippines), thus becoming the youngest Filipino Grandmaster at the age of 14. He also became the seventh youngest to achieve the Grandmaster title in the history of chess, edging out French GM Etienne Bacrot from that spot. So got his first GM norm in the Offene Internationale Bayerische Schach Meisterschaft in Bad Wiessee, Germany and his second GM norm in the 2007 U-20 World Junior Chess Championship in Yerevan, Armenia.

On April 16, 2008, Wesley So, won the title in the $45,000 Dubai Open Chess Championships, "The Sheikh Rashed Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Cup", at the Dubai Chess Club, Dubai, United Arab Emirates and setting a record as the youngest winner in the 10-year history of the Cup. He finished with 7 points on six wins, one loss and two draws after nine games.

The Philippines' top gun then proceeded to Jakarta, Indonesia where he battled Indonesia's Number 1 GM Susanto Megaranto 4-2 (three wins, two draws and one loss) in a six-game match on the occasion of the JAPFA Chess Festival.

On May 5, 2008, So won the top prize of P 200,000, in the “Battle of GMs” chess competition by notching 8½ points, on six wins and five draws, at the Citystate Hotel, Manila. One point ahead of second placer Eugenio Torre and Richard Bitoon,

He won the Corus Group “C” 2009 scoring 9.5/13 besting his nearest rival FM Anish Giri and GM Tiger Hillarp Persson by 1 point .

Grabbed the Top Junior Prize during Aeroflot 2009. He scored a respectable 5 pts out of 9.

He is the current winner of the Phoenix Petroleum & Dapitan City, Philippines 2nd Battle of GMs and scored 9.0/11.

Clinched his ticket to the prestigious Chess World Cup by placing 2nd during Zone 3.3 Chess Championship which was held on 23-29th July 2009 in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.

In November-December at the 2009 Chess World Cup he defeated Gadir Guseinov AZE(2625) in Round-1 and had shocking victories over former world contender Vassily Ivanchuk UKR(2739) in Round-2 and 2008 Chess World Cup Titleholder Gata Kamsky USA(2695) in Round-3 before being knocked out by Vladimir Malakhov RUS(2706) in Round-4 thru Tie Break games.

On the January 2010, FIDE rating list, GM So's ELO rating is 2656 placing him 77th in the Top 100 List, the world's strongest chess player for his age level and the only player (players born in 1993 and later) listed in the Top 100. The latest ratings also put Wesley So on the 6th spot of the world top 20 juniors list.

In the just concluded Aeroflot Open 2010 “A1” (9-17 Feb 2010) he retained his Top Junior Title (players born in 1992 and later) and placed 11th overall with 5.5 points (9 Rnd Swiss) in a strong field of 80 players. .

Perhaps one of the junior receiving the most praise (besides Carlsen) is Wesley So of the Philippines (2656, +14). He got to the 4th round of the FIDE World Cup beating Gadir Guseinov (2614), Vassily Ivanchuk (2749) and Gata Kamsky (2693).

The country's No.1 chess player GM Wesley So scored 7.5 in 13 rounds to settle for fourth top spot in Corus Chess 2010 Group B in the Netherlands.

Seeded No.6, So's Round 11 loss to the eventual champion, GM Anish Giri, and his draws against GM Howell and IM Anna Muzychuk in Round 12 and 13, respectively, proved costly not only to his tournament title campaign but also to his 2700-mark quest.

So was enjoying a two-piece up and time advantage against Giri in Round 11, but a “twist” of fate suddenly changed it all that shocked his whole legion of fans, including this blogger.

So was also enjoying the upper hand against Howell and Muzychuk, but opted to settle for truces which slightly dragged his Elo rating down.

The shocking loss to Giri as well as the ‘winnable’ draws against So’s last two opponents drew varied impressions from some quarters.

A very simple question indeed. But nobody, except GM Wes himself, could provide us the answers.

Overall, So gained 4.7 Elo points from this Category 16 event putting his live rating to 2660.7. He entered the tournament with 2656 rating. He finished the tournament with 3 wins, 1 loss, and 9 draws.

Wesley topping this year’s Group B could have been a sure ticket for him to face the likes of GM Magnus Carlsen in Group A next year. Carlsen, by the way, ruled this year’s Group A also with one loss.

I just hope that Wesley be invited again to Corus next year –not to play in Group B but preferably in Group A, banking on his considerable crowd-drawing charisma. Then and there, the whole world of chess can expect fireworks from the “Real Deal.”

GM Wesley So ended his stint in Aeroflot Open 2010 in Moscow, Russia in a lifeless 10-mover draw to finish 11th overall with 5.5 points in a strong field of 80 players.

Compatriot GM Darwin, who probably played the worst campaign in his professional career, withdrew from the event after Round 7 to finish at the bottom with half a point.

GM Le Quang Liem of Vietnam topped the event with a strong final-round kick by beating GM Ian Nepomniachtchi of Russia to haul a total of 7.0 points for a total performance rating of 2872!!

The two Philippine flag bearers fashioned out completely contrasting results when it comes to Elo point production.Wesley earned 4.6 points, bringing his live rating to 2665.3 after the tournament, while Darwin lost incredible 28.6 Elo points. Laylo's live rating now stands at 2527.4 which will surely affect his rankings in the Philippines.

The draw in the last round was enough for So to retain his Top Junior title which he earned last year in the same tournament.

If not for some of the short and blodless draws of Wesley in this tournament, his 2700-mark campaign could have been much boosted.

Of course, as mere fans, we didn't know what Wesley and Darwin were going through in the course of the tournament. They might be troubled by a physical pain, whatever.

I'll say it again, as mere fans, all we could do is want and expect. After the game, as a consequence, we either jump for joy or grin in disappointment, and for some - even mourn in pain.

But surely, the 10-mover draw in Wesley's last game put a question mark to his image as an exciting, world-class player, considering that he was the one who offered the truce!

It's now always the Elo points, not the title that count.

Sometimes, the total character of a player who gives his best to exploring the deepest and wildest beauty of the game is what endear him to the world of sports.

If the Aeroflot Open 2010 served as a test of skills for Darwin, it served somethig else for Wesley - that is, a test of character.

Yeah, the pressure in that high-profile tournament was indeed too heavy to bear. But that's exactly the point!!

If you are to be a world champion, you have to be hungry and brave enough to face the stiffest opposition - and conquer them.

::: :::

_________________Micah 6:8 (NIRV)

The Lord has shown you what is good. He has told you what he requires of you.You must act with justice. You must love to show mercy.And you must be humble as you live in the sight of your God.

I've been following Wesley So's game in recent tournaments especially the Corus and Aeroflot. I've noticed something unusual indeed which maybe I suppose, a trait, for young GMs. They tend to "play". What I mean is that the game of chess is a game to play but not to "play" but to think. And in an international tournament such as Corus and Aeroflot, when you are obviously winning, you cannot afford to lose it of course. And for that matter I suggest, seriously, a coach or coaches to advise Wesley on these matters. Because whether he likes it or not, he has become a National icon in Philippine chess. And a hero, perhaps.?

Notation:Currently there are ONLY 36 Hyper GMs in the List (2700 and above)There are ONLY THREE(3) Juniors (U20) and all were born in 1990.Wesley So was born in 1993. Will it take 3-Years for Wesley to attain 2700 ???

_________________Micah 6:8 (NIRV)

The Lord has shown you what is good. He has told you what he requires of you.You must act with justice. You must love to show mercy.And you must be humble as you live in the sight of your God.

I've been following Wesley So's game in recent tournaments especially the Corus and Aeroflot. I've noticed something unusual indeed which maybe I suppose, a trait, for young GMs. They tend to "play". What I mean is that the game of chess is a game to play but not to "play" but to think. And in an international tournament such as Corus and Aeroflot, when you are obviously winning, you cannot afford to lose it of course. And for that matter I suggest, seriously, a coach or coaches to advise Wesley on these matters. Because whether he likes it or not, he has become a National icon in Philippine chess. And a hero, perhaps.?

You're right Bro Ric ... it is High Time for our Chess Leaders/Officials and alike to SCOUT, RECOMMEND & HIRE a NO-NONSENSE Coach for Wesley So !

Carlsen has Kasparov ... The Russians has National Coach/Coaches ... Top GMs too ... as well as the Newly Crowned Aeroflot 2010 Winner from Vietnam do have a Coach !

_________________Micah 6:8 (NIRV)

The Lord has shown you what is good. He has told you what he requires of you.You must act with justice. You must love to show mercy.And you must be humble as you live in the sight of your God.

What I see in So is his weakness in deep combination play. It's what made him lose to Giri at Corus and Nguyen at Aeroflot. He was winning but still not yet in full control of the game. Maybe maturity plays a big part in this aspect of the game. When an opponent sacrifices his pieces then Wesley starts to rattle. This is what needs to be improved. I suggest to him that to give a little more thinking when an opponent sacrifices a piece as to why he did it and not to get all complacent and not be careful like what happened to him and Giri at Corus. So in that game has all the time but he didn't use it to his advantage. He has to remember that nothing is free in this world even in chess.

Still kudos to Wesley So for making this far as a Super GM and wishes him more to come.... God bless you Wesley So...

What I see in So is his weakness in deep combination play. It's what made him lose to Giri at Corus and Nguyen at Aeroflot. He was winning but still not yet in full control of the game. Maybe maturity plays a big part in this aspect of the game. When an opponent sacrifices his pieces then Wesley starts to rattle. This is what needs to be improved. I suggest to him that to give a little more thinking when an opponent sacrifices a piece as to why he did it and not to get all complacent and not be careful like what happened to him and Giri at Corus. So in that game has all the time but he didn't use it to his advantage. He has to remember that nothing is free in this world even in chess.

Still kudos to Wesley So for making this far as a Super GM and wishes him more to come.... God bless you Wesley So...

Good & Nice Observation Bro Blitz !!! This is where the job of a Coach/Trainer/Second comes in ... one thing that is missing in Wesley's arsenal right now!

I just want to share here what the former coach (Elizbar Ubilava) of World Champ Vis Anand says on this ...

"A second is more a strategist than a tactician. A few years back he had to be the player's representative, work as a trainer to enhance emotional, psychological and physical preparation and work as an analyst. Nowadays the representative part is taken over by 'Managers' for most top players.

Also computers take the largest workload of checking tactical possibilities and also the opponent's preferences and also the new ideas tried out while working on specific Openings. Seconds are useful mainly for discussions, pre-game preparation and post-game analysis."

Q: How should the personal equation between a player and his 'Second" be?

"Apart from a working relationship, if there is also a sort of emotional bonding between them, then the results work out better." ... Coach Elizbar Ubilava

MANILA, Philippines - Grandmaster Wesley So will join the roster of “elite athletes” set to get full financial backing from the Philippine Sports Commission in its buildup for this year’s Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.

PSC chair Harry Angping said So’s recent exploits abroad, including a Last 16 finish in the World Chess Cup last November, were enough for the 16-year-old Bacoor City, Cavite native to be included in the elite group headed by netters Cecil Mamiit and Treat Conrad Huey and bowler Biboy Rivera.

So will thus get a monthly stipend of P20,000plus a choice international stints on a quarterly basis.

“In case of chess, Wesley So is a shoo-in because as we can see, he’s obviously our best bet,” Angping said.

The PSC chief, however, is still in the process of finalizing the list since most of the NSAs (national sports associations) have yet to submit their respective programs and recommendations.

“He (So) will get the same package, which means the same salary plus international exposures,” Angping said.

He added that the PSC would be willing to put up a minimum of P1 million and a maximum of P2 million to finance So’s training for the Guangzhou games.

“In case of Wesley So, I’m open to set aside P1M or P2M just for him alone. Wesley would surely enjoy the privilege,” he said.

The same package, however, could not be said for the other Filipino chess players.

“The others we’ll just subsidize partially, not full. We’ll let the association (National Chess Federation of the Philippines) augment the rest,” said Angping.

...

So is coming off an impressive performance in the World Cup where he beat former world champions Vassily Ivanchuk of Ukraine and Gata Kamsky of the US.

He finished fourth in Group B of the tough Corus tournament in Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands last month and is currently participating in the Aeroflot Open in Moscow, Russia along with fellow GM Darwin Laylo.

So is now ranked 76th in the world with a FIDE rating of 2656, the highest by any Filipino.

Though a Php 20K monthly stipend Plus a Max of Php2M (for his Training & International exposures) these would not be enough to provide for a "Wesley So Training Team" (at least a Coach & Trainer Plus Second) considering that the amount is ONLY INTENDED for HIS preparation to the Asian Games come November.

A "Long Term Training & Joining Top GMs Tourneys" or in short PROJECT 2700 should be considered!!!

Let us HOPE & PRAY that other PATRONS/SPONSORS (Govt/Private/Business Enterprises) will provide the means. We need somebody to CHAMPION for this cause !!!

_________________Micah 6:8 (NIRV)

The Lord has shown you what is good. He has told you what he requires of you.You must act with justice. You must love to show mercy.And you must be humble as you live in the sight of your God.

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